Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Dexiarchia
Superfamily : Tritonioidea
Family : Bornellidae
Distribution : Indo-West Pacific.
Maximal size : 20 mm
Abundance : Seldom : on the fore reef zone

The general body colour is translucent white with scattered subepithelial opaque white granules.
   There are two parallel red marks on the basal inner side of each dorsolateral process and a similar pair of marks on the rhinophore sheaths, where they may merge into a large patch. 
    There is also a pair of red bands on the head running from the oral tentacles to the base of the rhinophore sheaths.
   And a elongate red band runs along the dorsal midline, from behind the last pair of dorsolateral processes to the posterior tip of the foot.

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Bill Rudman
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
               - No other name

Bibliographic data :

The animal has an elongate shape typical of species of Bornella, with lobe-like digitate oral tentacles on each side of the mouth, a pair of large elongate rhinophore sheaths and a series of paired dorso-lateral processes down the body.
    In many cases the anterior half of red band runs along the dorsal midline, divides into a pair of outer bands.
    The rhinophore sheath has three elongate anterior and anterolateral papillae spaced around its upper edge, and there is a fourth, taller, posterior papilla, which is distinctly bifid.
    Behind the rhinophores, there are three pairs of dorso-lateral processes, followed by two single processes in the dorsal midline. Each dorso-lateral process has a stout base topped with three papillae, all pointed at the tip. There are two bipinnate translucent gills on the inner surface of each of the paired dorso-lateral processes. The bases of the most posterior pair of dorso-lateral processes are joined.
    This species is named after the Hawaiian goddess “Pele”, goddess of fire, lightning and volcanoes and refers to the red splashes of colour

Isabelle Ruffin

Reunion, Saint-Leu, "banc de sable", 4m, 10 August 2008, size : less than 20 mm.

It has lobe-like digitate oral tentacles (a) on each side of the mouth

The rhinophore sheath has three elongate anterior and anterolateral papillae (b) spaced around its upper edge, and there is a fourth (c), taller, posterior papilla, which is distinctly bifid.

Philibert Bidgrain

Reunion, Etang salé, on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 12 August 2007, size : 15-18 mm

Philibert Bidgrain

Reunion, Saint Leu, on the surface of the ocean being carried by the current, 7 January 2008, size : 15 mm

Behind the rhinophores, there are three pairs of dorso-lateral processes, followed by two single processes in the dorsal midline.

There are two parallel red marks (a) on the basal inner side of each dorsolateral process.

In that cases the anterior half of red band runs along the dorsal midline, divides into a pair of outer bands (b).

Sebastien Pomarede    

Reunion, Saint Leu, 9 May 2006, size : 15- 18 mm